THE ORANGE COUNTY WHEELMEN NEWS TANDEM TIME GOAT HILL PARAMOUNT RACING June www.ocwheelmen.org 2012 General Meeting Wednesday June 13, 7:00pm Pete Van Nuys Executive Director of Orange County Bicycle Coalition Pete’s held almost every job in the bike biz at one time or another, including European tour leader, tour organizer, tour leader trainer, retail and wholesale ad director, and marketing director. Whatever career he’s pursued, he’s always been a bicycling advocate. But what does that mean? What exactly does a bicycle advocate do, and to whom? Since he’s now Executive Director of the Orange County Bicycle Coalition, perhaps he can tell us… Meeting to be held at: Irvine Ranch Water District Board Meeting Room Directions: Take the 405 FWY to Sand Canyon North, or take 5 FWY to Sand Canyon South. Turn East on Water Works Way. Go Left into parking lot and park behind building. Come at 6:30 for dinner and conversation with your fellow cyclists. We will start the meeting at 7:00. Guests welcome. IN THIS ISSUE CALENDAR OF EVENTS From The President Page 3 Goat Hill Sunday @ 9am May General Meeting Page 4 Ride Like a Pro Saturday @ 8am Goat Hill Page 12-13 Ride around the Bear Saturday June 9 Paramount Racing Pages 16-17 OCW-BCI Bike Rally Saturday June 30 Board Meeting Minutes (TBD) Pages 26-27 OCW Picnic Sunday Aug. 26 ORANGE COUNTY WHEELMEN BOARD MEETING BOARD Sunday, June 3, 11:00 am Carl’s Jr., Irvine. Take the 405 Freeway to the MacArthur OFFICERS exit. Go south 0.8 miles and turn left on Campus. Go 0.3 miles and turn right into Carl’s Jr. (at Von Karman). All Of- President Jim Brewer 714.525.9995 ficers and Directors are expected to attend to conduct busi- ness. Other interested members may also attend. Vice President Paul D’Aquanni 562.943.9403 Treasurer Jim Walker 562.943.9403 Secretary Susan Benton 702.575.3780 SPECIAL THANKS TO Scott & Tracy Sharp Events Mike Lee, LCI 949.458.0205 For hosting the Ride Captain Lee Stebbins, LCI 714.404.1985 May Folding Party Membership Irene Walker 562.943.9403 Editor Michelle Vester, LCI 714.914.2778 FOLDING PARTY Statistician Jim Pugh 714.680.4828 Thursday, June 28, 7:00 pm Public Relations Max Kaldenberg 949.857.4355 Hosted by: Training Open Mike & Terri Lee (Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Dinner will be served) DIRECTORS 23676 Via El Rocio, Mission Viejo, 92691 From the North: South on 5 fwy, exit Alicia Pkwy, turn left on Alicia, travel approx. 2.5. miles, right on Satuday Rides Bob Fairfield, LCI 714.508.7375 Trabuco Rd (McDonalds on corner), left on Via Victoria Paramount Jason Gersting 949.303.8894 (first street), left on Via El Rocio, 3rd house on right. Goat Hill Alan Vester 714.231.3164 From the South: North on 5 fwy, exit Alicia Pkwy, turn right on Alicia, travel approx. 2.5 miles, right on Web Master Paul Defeo 714.552.3966 Trabuco Rd (McDonalds on corner), left on Via Victoria Friday Rides Dan Gorman 714.771.7741 (first street), left on Via El Rocio, 3rd house on right. Insurance Ron Hearn 310.567.2922 If you would like to host a Folding Party or supply refresh- Club Clothing Art Pressel 714.914.9300 ments for the General Meeting, please contact Mike Lee Director at Large Dennis Thomas 941.340.0144 at [email protected] Director at Large Frank Neal 909.592.2727 Director at Large Alvan Trafton 310.489.1044 (OCW reimburses up to $100) Director at Large Randy Keifer 949.653.6346 Director at Large Steve Loughram 949.348.9332 Director at Large Doris Bingo 714.225.9091 Chain Reaction is published 11 times a year by the Orange County Wheelmen, a bicycle club. Current Director at Large Alan Dauger 714.846.0862 circulation is 500. Director at Large Jeff Rich 714.998.5587 Copyright 2012; Orange County Wheelmen. Permission hereby granted to republish if credit is given to the author and OCW. All items submitted be- come property of OCW. Opinions of authors do not necessarily reflect the views of OCW. PAGE 2 ORANGE COUNTY WHEELMEN NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT By Jim Brewer June 2012 Attack of the Cat Last week an OCW member was eating a turkey sandwich with Alvin Trafton, at the turn-a-round point, high in the local mountains on a casual 8,000 foot climb ride, when a “vicious” cat snuck up and took a huge bite from his turkey sandwich. No harm done, but the rude critter could have at least “meowed” first. We might have live turkeys to deal with down here in the city but they drive two ton vehicles. We might suggest to them to dial to a “non road-rage melody radio station” to calm them down. We dread the fact that some of them want to take a bite out of us. These things were discussed at our latest General Meeting by a non-turkey, Jeff Rich. May was “ride to work month” but somehow only us cyclists knew this. Jeff entertained us at the May General Meeting and he pointed out that riding defensively was the best way to avoid confrontations and that having a rear view mirror was the second most important piece of equipment for commuting. Guess what was first? Jeff will be in charge of timing the Around the Bear ride this year. He has been busy learning the new techniques of timing and the Board approved the purchase of the necessary software and hardware. If you find a propensity for helping Jeff, let him know and he will gladly oblige. We don’t want the “paid customers” to be the guinea pigs of for our new timing system. Mike Lee has been working on a map of the Around the Bear Ride so participants and volunteers can visibly see the route and all the distances. Hopefully Mike does not show the profile of the ride because it looks like a heart attack EKG. This new map will give riders a new sense of direction and an understanding of how difficult it is to finish before dark. Our membership drive is in the large chain ring. The Board members agreed with Max Kaldenberg’s program to give people the option of pre-register entry into our most popular ride Amtrak, by requiring them to join OCW and purchase a club jersey. There is a limit of 100 spots. Spread the word because these entrees will go fast. Check the Website ocwheelmen.org for all the details. Jeff and Ximena Ansel dominated the raffle prize drawings during the month of May by winning three times. The biggest take was a $50.00 gift certificate on the Saturday ride. If you want a chance to win a jersey or cash prizes, just show up on the designated Saturday and sign-up for a ride or attend the monthly General Meeting. Just a reminder. Don’t be turkey by not getting involved. Check the calendar and do something for yourself. It is very impressive to see club members helping themselves but also assisting other cyclists enjoy their biking experience. Have fun but remember, don’t get gobbled up. Be safe out there. ORANGE COUNTY WHEELMEN NEWS PAGE 3 May General Meeting Wrap-Up Jeff Rich Kelley Laxamana Alan Dauger, Kevin Ivy, Lee Stebbins Bike Commuting After riding 26 miles with his “Riding Buddy” from work, our own Jeff Rich treated OCW members to tips on how to best survive commuting to and from work. Jeff had a great presentation, with tips on everything from safety & equipment, to per- sonal hygiene. Other commuters present got a chance to share their experienc- es and tips as well. I think that those who might have been considering a com- muting life style, will now take what Jeff offered up, and try it out. Thanks Jeff! Mexican food, in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, was the fare for the evening, and we had enough to feed all! Raffle prizes were donated and awarded. Thanks to all those who help at these meetings to have them run so smoothly, and be an en- tertaining and informative evening out. Next month bring a friend, and join in. Paul DAquanni, LCI OCW VP PAGE 4 ORANGE COUNTY WHEELMEN NEWS Ride Like A Pro Attention new members, every Saturday at The Square there is one of our LCI’s ready to take you on the road with instruction on how to better navigate and negotiate with vehicles. This is extremely valuable help for all those new to road riding. If you just started to ride this is a great help so you can ride safely and confidently on the road. Check the Ride Calendar on the website, www.ocwheelmen.org for whom the LCI will be for that Saturday. We fol- low the short route and ride at your pace. Mike Lee, LCI 2765 Alan Dauger, Kevin Ivy, Lee Stebbins One of the All Time Great Centuries It is a little more satisfying than cruising nearly 40 miles down the 7000 foot descent from Onyx Summit to Redlands. Not to mention the OCW feast at the end of the ride. This is a glorious ride but there is a little matter of climbing to Running Springs at 6030 feet, Big Bear Lake at 6750 feet and to Onyx Summit at 8443 feet to start with. This ride has been rated “One of the top ten most difficult centuries in the country” as stated by Cyclist Magazine and California Cyclist 8 and is NOT for Beginners.